Vina Ardanza La Rioja Alta 2015
£242 per twelve bottles IB
£242 per six magnums IB
£115 per double magnum IB
Pre-arrival October 2021
Josh Raynolds 94/100
Deep magenta. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black raspberry, cherry cola, potpourri, tobacco and exotic spices, plus a smoky mineral flourish. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering lush red and blue fruit, spicecake, mocha and coconut flavors that firm up on the back half. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with resonating florality, gently chewy tannins and lingering oak spice notes. Drinking window: 2024 - 2034
Tim Atkin 94/100
One of two vintages of Ardanza that are currently on the market, the 2015 is a cuvée of Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero and 20% Garnacha from high altitude Tudelilla in the Rioja Oriental. Savoury and aromatic, with a slight animal note, this has raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, scented oak and sweet baking spices. 2021-27
Contino Gran Reserva 2014
£235 per six bottles IB
£250 per three magnums IB
Pre-arrival October 2021
Jeb Dunnuck 96/100
Gorgeous notes of red plums, currants, vanilla spice, and candied flowers all emerge from the 2014 Gran Reserva. With full-bodied richness, a rounded, layered texture, plenty of mid-palate depth, and present yet ripe tannins, this beauty does everything right and can be drunk with incredible pleasure any time over the coming 10-15 years.
Josh Raynolds 94/100
Deep violet. Primary black and blue fruit, potpourri, baking spice and vanilla qualities on the highly perfumed nose; a smoky mineral flourish adds urgency. Appealingly sweet, oak-spiced boysenberry, cassis and cherry cola flavors spread out steadily on the palate and show fine definition and back-end thrust. Closes impressively long and smooth, with rounded tannins contributing shape and gentle grip. Drinking window: 2023 - 2033.